The Dickinson press., 1887-04-02
SOLDIERS CEMETERY.
THE UNION DEAD THAT WERE
BURIED AT ANDERsoNvILLE, GA.
An Explanation Concerning the Death
Register-lseautirul Appearance of the
Cemcteky-Graves of the Unidentified.
The Rows of Tombstones.

Let us turn to tho cemetery This is stu
eted about half a mile northeast of tho station
at AndersopNille, and comprises about twenty
four acres of beautifully undulating grounds,
with many natural features not to be found
in the spot from which we have just turned.
The appearance Of the cemetery has been ell
tirely changed since war days. Then it was
but rudc field. The dead were buried in
trenches seven feet wide, four feet deep and
from fifty to $50 yards long No collins were
used, but the twisted, emaciated forms of tho
dead prisoners We're laid side by sidc ard at
the head of cach was driven IL little stake, on
which was painted number corresponding
to the number Of the body on the death regis
ter. The cemetery was a dircful necessity,
and no extra pains were taken with it. Not
before June, 1865, was any step taken toward
inclosing the ground and marking the graves
SO that they could be identified in tho future
word of explanation respecting tho death
register is perhaps necessary that the reader
may SEQ why only 921 out of 12,793 lack
Identification. When a prisoner died his
comrades reported to the registrar of the
dead, prisoner appointed for that purpose,
near tho wicket at tho south gate The
registrar recorded the name, state, regiment,
company, rank and date of death of tho dead
man and assigned him number. Thus each
corpse was numbered, and as they were car
ried out in the dead wagon for burial care
was taken to inter The bodies i'll order and
mark each with numbered stake All this
was done by prisoners detailed for that work.
and hence the care that was exercised
IDENTIFYING TIE GRAVES
Thus, when james Il. Moore, assistant
Quartermaster United States army, was ap-
pointed to care temporarily for the dead at
AndeiSonvile, he had no difficulty with the
aid of tho registry that had been kept in
identifying most of the graves. With
force OF several hundred men lie proceeded to
lay out walks, fence i'll the grounds and
mark the graves with painted head boards.
About 100000 feet of pine boards were thus
| used. Of course, some stakes had been re-
moved and some directions on tho registry
were imperfect; but the care that was taken
is credit to those who had the matter in
charge.
The work then begun so timely has since
been untiringly kept up. The cemetery now
presents beautiful appearance. The grounds
arc nicely laid out and neatly kept The
whole is inclosed by brickwall about five
and a half feet high, the plainness of the wall
being relieved by neatly constructed twenty
foot panels, which are supported by square
pilasters, tho pilasters being carried above tho
/ top course Of the wall. Tho fine iron gates
arc always open to visitors, who flock to tho
place by hundreds.
From the center of a diamond shaped plat
rises flag staff OH which tho stars and stripes
are to be seen flying from sunrise to sunset,
except i'll inclement weather. Near by aro
| n nf kn.1
stone bases. From this point radiate four
finely kept avenues, about twenty feet wide;
parallel rows of large water oaks cast OH them
an abundant shade; brick cutters OH either
side keep them well drained. The four sec
tions Of tho cemetery are also well shaded and
beautifully adorned with shrubs and foliage
plants.
ROWS OF TOMBsTONES.
The graves, Of course arc us they were
first formed. Tho painted head boards that
Mr. Moore erected have been taken away and
burned, and substantial white marble slabs
have been erected in their places. These
stones arc of two kinds, but those of each
kind arc uniform. Hero and there, indeed,
are stones that have been furnished by the
family Of tho dead, but tho majority arc of
the uniform make, furnished by the govern
ment
For the graves of identified soldiers the
tombstones arc flat, polished slabs, three feet
long, one-half being under ground, four
inches thick and twelve inches wide. On the
fncc side is n raised Shield, and on this is
recorded the number, name rank and state
of him who sleeps below. This is neat and
OF course somewhat nonotonous but it is tho
best generous minded public could do. For
the unknown soldiers tho stones aro four
inches square and project only five inches
above ground. The rows of graves are about
ten or twelve feet apart. Everything is SO
neatly cared for, tho spot is so replete with
memories, tho symmetrical rows of tomb
stones arc so symbolic of similar cause and
an equal fate, the pleasant grounds are SO
shady and quiet that one feels the scene
deeply impressive. Here and there, too, are
found cast tablets-therc are some twenty five
of them Notwithstanding suitable inscrip-
tions. Many of these are extremely beaut-
full bringing to the visitors mind the dignity.
heroism and suffering of tue fallen soldiers
Cor. Chicago Times.